India’s Epigral commissions 45,000 tonne/year chlorinated PVC resin line

MUMBAI (ICIS)–India’s Epigral Ltd has commissioned its 45,000 tonne/year chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin line at its facility in Dahej in the western Gujarat state.

“Epigral now has a total CPVC resin capacity of 75,000 tonnes/year, positioning it as the largest CPVC resin facility in the world at a single location,” it said in a disclosure to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on 3 April.

Epigral, formerly known as Meghmani Finechem Ltd, is a leading integrated manufacturer of chemicals in India, producing caustic soda, chlorine, caustic potash, chloromethanes, CPVC and hydrogen peroxide at its Dahej facility.

“With this [CPVC] expansion, we are advancing towards our goal of becoming a multi-product company, geared up to enhance contribution from the derivatives and specialty chemicals segments,” Epigral chairman & managing director Maulik Patel said.

The increased capacity will help the company meet rising global and domestic demand for CPVC resins, it said, adding that the increased capacity will also help reduce India’s reliance on imports of the material.

Domestic demand for CPVC currently stands at around 250,000 tonnes/year and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 10-13%, a company source said.

Separately, the company expects to commission its 35,000 tonne/year CPVC compound facility before June 2024.

India currently imports its CPVC resin and CPVC compound requirements, and the new plant will help Epigral cater to domestic demand for both products.

Meanwhile, the company also expects to commission its chlorotoluene and downstream value chain facility in the current calendar year, the company source said.

Once operational, the chlorotoluene facility will produce intermediates for manufacturing pharmaceutical and agrochemical active ingredients.

“Right now, India imports its chlorotoluene requirement completely from China, Japan, and Europe. We expect to cater to custom manufacturing companies that are currently importing this raw material,” the company source added.